On Saturday 8 May, 1,000 young people departed from every state and territory around Australia for the Make Poverty History Road Trip. The young Australians travelled around Australia for five days, building support and momentum to end extreme poverty.
Participants engaged with thousands of Australians during the five day road trip, taking them on a journey of awareness, understanding and action on global poverty. The young advocates achieved daily media coverage in the lead up to and during the trip, ensuring the Make Poverty History message reached an even wider audience.
The road trip convened in Canberra for a two day camping festival and summit starting on Thursday 13 May. Parliamentarians and AusAID staff engaged in a number of activities during the summit to discuss Australia's role in the fight against poverty.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith, Senator Guy Barnett and Senator Sarah Hanson-Young addressed the Make Poverty History Summit breakfast on 13 May at Parliament House. Minister Smith confirmed the Government's commitment to increasing Australia's development assistance program to 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income by 2015-16. Minister Smith was also able to inform the group that for the third consecutive year the Government has increased money allocated to foreign aid, with the 2010/11 aid budget to increase by over $530 million over the 2009/10 budget.
AusAID staff Christopher Nelson and John Davidson also participated in the summit, speaking at seminars on Thursday 13 May. Christopher Nelson outlined AusAID's contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the challenges involved. John Davidson spoke about the importance of aid effectiveness, a particular priority for an expanding aid program.
On Friday 14 May, the Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance Bob McMullan and Senator Ursula Stephens participated in the Australian Youth Forum Consultation. With the support of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations the Youth Forum took place at the ANU and focused on issues such as aid effectiveness, Australia's responsibility to help the poor and what young Australians can do to be part of the solution.
More information
Foreign Minister's address to Make Poverty History Road Trip 2010
Make Poverty History Road Trip [external website]
Australian Youth Forum [external website]